Latest news with #WomenEuro2025
Japan Times
10 hours ago
- Sport
- Japan Times
Kelly hits winner as late drama takes England into Women's Euro 2025 final
Chloe Kelly scored a dramatic late winner in extra time as reigning champions England came from behind to beat Italy 2-1 on Tuesday and reach the Women's Euro 2025 final. The Lionesses had been on the brink of elimination as they trailed to Barbara Bonansea's first-half strike for surprise semifinalists Italy in Geneva. But after a remarkable comeback from two goals down to beat Sweden on penalties in last week's quarterfinal, England pulled off more heroics here. Michelle Agyemang came off the bench and forced the extra period by equalizing in the 96th minute, and fellow substitute Kelly completed the turnaround by following up to score the winner in the 119th minute after her penalty had been saved. Sarina Wiegman's team are through to their third consecutive major tournament final and the 2022 European champions head to Basel for Sunday's showpiece. That will be either a repeat of the 2023 Women's World Cup final, which they lost to Spain, or a repeat of the last Euro final, in which they defeated Germany at Wembley — those sides meet in their semi on Wednesday. "Luckily I got there for the tap-in," Kelly told broadcaster ITV. "Three finals on the bounce and we want more. This team shows resilience but we fight back and hopefully we can make it easier for ourselves." It has been quite a ride for England, with this victory following its comeback against Sweden, while the nature of the defeat for Italy was cruel. Many of their players were in tears at full time, as the Azzurre — ranked 13th in the world and not expected to come this far — fell short of reaching a first final since the 1997 Euros. "It hurts but we are very proud of all that we have done," said Italy coach Andrea Soncin. "We will need a few days to overcome this bitter moment but we will keep growing." Wiegman made one change from the quarterfinal win against Sweden, as Esme Morgan came into the defense for Jess Carter. The latter had been the target of racial abuse which drew a backlash from Wiegman and England's players in the build-up to this game. England had the backing of the majority of the 26,539 crowd in Geneva and held the momentum in the opening stages of the match. Subs make difference again However, Italy looked fresher and opened the scoring on 33 minutes as Sofia Cantore reached the right byline before delivering a cross which found Bonansea at the back post. The Juventus player controlled before lashing a shot into the roof of the net from close range. Alessia Russo and Lauren James came closest for England in the first half, but Italy held its lead into the break and Wiegman then sent on Beth Mead for the second half. Lauren Hemp headed onto the roof of the net and an Alex Greenwood long-ranger was punched away by goalkeeper Laura Giuliani, who was booked for timewasting with almost 20 minutes still to play. With the clock ticking down the England coach introduced Kelly followed by Agyemang, two players who had already made a big impact off the bench against Sweden. Agyemang, the teenage Arsenal forward, replaced captain and centre-back Leah Williamson in a clear sign of desperation in the Lionesses camp. Italy could have killed the game off but Hannah Hampton made a crucial double save to deny Michela Cambiaghi and Emma Severini at a corner in the 86th minute. That proved crucial, as England equalized in the sixth of seven allotted added minutes at the end of normal time. Giuliani failed to hold an awkward cross into the box from England's right and the ball came out to Agyemang who took a touch and blasted in. Once again England faced extra time. Giuliani did well to stop a Kelly corner going straight in with 108 minutes played. The remarkable Agyemang then saw a lobbed effort beat Giuliani but come back off the crossbar with four minutes of extra time remaining. Penalties loomed, but instead it would be just one spot-kick, awarded when Mead was pushed over right in front of the Croatian referee. Kelly's effort was saved by Giuliani, but she was on hand to convert the rebound and send England into another final. "We don't do things the easy way in this tournament but we find a way to win," defender Lucy Bronze said.
Malay Mail
12 hours ago
- Sport
- Malay Mail
Late Chloe Kelly goal sends England into Women's Euro final after dramatic comeback against Italy
GENEVA, July 23 — England coach Sarina Wiegman said she felt 'many emotions' after her team produced another dramatic comeback to beat Italy in extra time yesterday and reach the final of the Women's Euro 2025. 'I have many emotions again. I feel relief, I feel happy—it feels a bit surreal but we are here and we are going to the final,' Wiegman said following the 2-1 win in Geneva, secured thanks to a Chloe Kelly goal in the 119th minute. Italy were seconds away from a shock victory over the defending champions and a place in the final as they led deep into injury time thanks to Barbara Bonansea's 33rd-minute goal. But substitute Michelle Agyemang equalised for England in the sixth minute of stoppage time to force the extra period, before Kelly—who had also come off the bench—followed in to score the deciding goal after her penalty had been saved, just as another shoot-out loomed. 'It does feel like a movie. When it finishes like that I am enjoying it but it was a little bit dramatic,' smiled Wiegman. Her team had already produced a stunning comeback against Sweden in the quarter-finals, when they trailed 2-0 before two goals by Lucy Bronze and Agyemang in the space of three minutes late on forced extra time and they eventually advanced on penalties. 'We know with the players we have in the squad that we can always score more because we have shown that multiple times,' Wiegman added. 'At the end we did it and then we got extra time, and then we got the penalty. We were a bit lucky to score it in the second stage but we are through.' • Three in a row England, who saw winger Lauren James come off at half-time with an ankle injury, will now go to Basel for the final on Sunday against either Spain or Germany—they meet in their last-four clash on Wednesday. It will be a third consecutive major tournament final for the Lionesses, who beat Germany in extra time in the Euro 2022 final at Wembley and then lost to Spain in the deciding game at the following year's World Cup in Sydney. 'That is what happens when a great team comes together and makes things happen—three consecutive finals playing under an unbelievable manager in Sarina,' said Kelly, the Arsenal forward who got the winner in the 2022 Euro final. 'It is incredible to be part of this special team. I am so proud.' She added: 'I can't believe what has just happened. The belief in the squad, the resilience and the togetherness in this group is just so special.' Meanwhile, Italy coach Andrea Soncin said he was proud of his team despite the agony of seeing the Azzurre fall just short of reaching a first final since the 1997 Euros. 'It hurts but we are very proud for all that we have done,' said Soncin, who took charge of the team in 2023 and is now eyeing the 2027 World Cup. 'The fact we were just a minute away from the final can be encouraging for us. 'We will need a few days to get over this bitter moment but we will keep growing, and our future goal is to go to the World Cup in Brazil so we are already looking forward.' — AFP
The Independent
12 hours ago
- Sport
- The Independent
Ian Wright demands one England change for Women's Euro 2025 final
Ian Wright insists England's improbable habit of producing stunning comebacks at major tournaments cannot continue and that a change is needed before Sunday's Women's Euro 2025 final. The Lionesses were seconds away from elimination against Italy before Michelle Agyemang struck an equaliser in the 96th minute of regular time. Chloe Kelly 's extra-time rebound in the 119th minute, following her saved penalty, completed the turnaround, but Wright is adamant Sarina Wiegman must inspire a faster start from her group against the winner of Wednesday's Germany v Spain semi-final. "You can't continue to rely on that," Wright said. "Six semi-finals, three finals on the spin. At some stage, the luck will run out. We need to start better and get a foothold in the game. "The thing is, if it's Germany, very physical and direct, it won't suit us. Spain, they play a more technical game, it might suit us more. I'm not sure about Plan A and Plan B, we're in a final. "But we need to start games better. We take too long to start games, we need to get into that, how we can get into our stride quicker." Former Lioness Karen Carney agreed with Wright, admitting she is concerned by fatigue across the pitch. "Sarina doesn't make many changes, but we saw tiredness today. Freshness is important," said Carney. "She has to look at her squad, rip it up, we need freshness to start the game. "Plan A isn't working, Plan B is magnificent, we have to make changes." Wiegman admitted "relief" was her reaction to another gripping Lionesses contest. "We had some serious challenges in this game," said the England boss. "We had the ball more, but we didn't create. Second half we did better, but they defended well. They had a lot of blocks, really aggressive, winning lots of duels. Even more happy to be in the final. "I think, of course, we did better in the second half, we always have the opportunity to have fresh players again, more opportunities, more players up front, it was a war, to get hold of the ball, they just did very well. "Yes, she (Kelly) thrives in these moments, excited when she comes in. It's the third time she (Agyemang) scores a goal, that ball on the crossbar, a very good action, what a talent. "We've seen so many different things now, we never give up, we can win by any means, we were a bit lucky against Sweden. We're going for that goal, but we take risks, this team keeps going and never gives up."
News.com.au
12 hours ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
Kelly hits winner as late drama takes England into Women's Euro 2025 final
Chloe Kelly scored a dramatic late winner in extra-time as reigning champions England came from behind to beat Italy 2-1 on Tuesday and reach the Women's Euro 2025 final. The Lionesses had been on the brink of elimination as they trailed to Barbara Bonansea's first-half strike for surprise semi-finalists Italy in Geneva. But after their remarkable comeback from two goals down to beat Sweden on penalties in last week's quarter-final, they pulled off more heroics here. Michelle Agyemang came off the bench and forced the extra period by equalising in the 96th minute, and fellow substitute Kelly completed the turnaround by following in to score the winner in the 119th minute after her penalty had been saved. Sarina Wiegman's team are through to their third consecutive major tournament final and the 2022 European champions head to Basel for Sunday's showpiece. That will be either a repeat of the 2023 Women's World Cup final, which they lost to Spain, or a repeat of the last Euro final, in which they defeated Germany at Wembley -- those sides meet in their semi on Wednesday. "Luckily I got there for the tap-in," Kelly told broadcaster ITV. "Three finals on the bounce and we want more. This team shows resilience but we fight back and hopefully we can make it easier for ourselves." It has been quite a ride for England, with this victory following their comeback against Sweden, while the nature of the defeat for Italy was cruel. Many of their players were in tears at full time, as the Azzurre -- who are ranked 13th in the world and were not expected to come this far -- fell short of reaching a first final since the 1997 Euros. "It hurts but we are very proud of all that we have done," said Italy coach Andrea Soncin. "We will need a few days to overcome this bitter moment but we will keep growing." Wiegman made one change from the quarter-final win against Sweden, as Esme Morgan came into the defence for Jess Carter. The latter had been the target of racial abuse which drew a backlash from Wiegman and England's players in the build-up to this game. England had the backing of the majority of the 26,539 crowd in Geneva and they had the momentum in the opening stages of the match. - Subs make difference again - However, Italy looked fresher and they opened the scoring on 33 minutes as Sofia Cantore reached the right byline before delivering a cross which found Bonansea at the back post. The Juventus player controlled before lashing a shot into the roof of the net from close range. Alessia Russo and Lauren James came closest for England in the first half, but Italy held their lead into the break and Wiegman then sent on Beth Mead for the second half. Lauren Hemp headed onto the roof of the net and an Alex Greenwood long-ranger was punched away by goalkeeper Laura Giuliani, who was booked for timewasting with almost 20 minutes still to play. With the clock ticking down the England coach introduced Kelly followed by Agyemang, two players who had already made a big impact off the bench against Sweden. Agyemang, the teenage Arsenal forward, replaced captain and centre-back Leah Williamson in a clear sign of desperation in the Lionesses camp. Italy could have killed the game off but Hannah Hampton made a crucial double save to deny Michela Cambiaghi and Emma Severini at a corner in the 86th minute. That proved crucial, as England equalised in the sixth of seven allotted added minutes at the end of normal time. Giuliani failed to hold an awkward cross into the box from England's right and the ball came out to Agyemang who took a touch and blasted in. Once again England faced extra time. They had the momentum, and Giuliani did well to stop a Kelly corner going straight in with 108 minutes played. The remarkable Agyemang then saw a lobbed effort beat Giuliani but come back off the crossbar with four minutes of extra time remaining. Penalties loomed, but instead it would be just one spot-kick, awarded when Mead was pushed over right in front of the Croatian referee. Kelly's effort was saved by Giuliani, but she was on hand to convert the rebound and send England into another final. "We don't do things the easy way in this tournament but we find a way to win," defender Lucy Bronze said.
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
'A bit surreal' - England coach Wiegman hails reaching Euro 2025 final
England coach Sarina Wiegman said she felt "many emotions" after her team produced another dramatic comeback to beat Italy in extra time on Tuesday and reach the final of the Women's Euro 2025. "I have many emotions again. I feel relief, I feel happy -- it feels a bit surreal but we are here and we are going to the final," Wiegman said following the 2-1 win in Geneva, secured thanks to a Chloe Kelly goal in the 119th minute. Italy were seconds away from a shock victory over the defending champions and a place in the final as they led deep into injury time thanks to Barbara Bonansea's 33rd-minute goal. But substitute Michelle Agyemang equalised for England in the sixth minute of stoppage time to force the extra period, before Kelly -- who had also come off the bench -- followed in to score the deciding goal after her penalty had been saved, just as another shoot-out loomed. "It does feel like a movie. When it finishes like that I am enjoying it but it was a little bit dramatic," smiled Wiegman. Her team had already produced a stunning comeback against Sweden in the quarter-finals, when they trailed 2-0 before two goals by Lucy Bronze and Agyemang in the space of three minutes late on forced extra time and they eventually advanced on penalties. "We know with the players we have in the squad that we can always score more because we have shown that multiple times," Wiegman added. "At the end we did it and then we got extra time, and then we got the penalty. We were a bit lucky to score it in the second stage but we are through." - Three in a row - England, who saw winger Lauren James come off at half-time with an ankle injury, will now go to Basel for the final on Sunday against either Spain or Germany -- they meet in their last-four clash on Wednesday. It will be a third consecutive major tournament final for the Lionesses, who beat Germany in extra time in the Euro 2022 final at Wembley and then lost to Spain in the deciding game at the following year's World Cup in Sydney. "That is what happens when a great team comes together and makes things happen -- three consecutive finals playing under an unbelievable manager in Sarina," said Kelly, the Arsenal forward who got the winner in the 2022 Euro final. "It is incredible to be part of this special team. I am so proud." She added: "I can't believe what has just happened. The belief in the squad, the resilience and the togetherness in this group is just so special." Meanwhile, Italy coach Andrea Soncin said he was proud of his team despite the agony of seeing the Azzurre fall just short of reaching a first final since the 1997 Euros. "It hurts but we are very proud for all that we have done," said Soncin, who took charge of the team in 2023 and is now eyeing the 2027 World Cup. "The fact we were just a minute away from the final can be encouraging for us. "We will need a few days to get over this bitter moment but we will keep growing, and our future goal is to go to the World Cup in Brazil so we are already looking forward." as/js
